Democrats narrow 2016 convention cities down to six

Not to be overshadowed by the Republican timetable in choosing a convention site, the Democratic National Committee has also narrowed down a list to six finalists. However, an announcement is not expected until late this year or earlier next year for the DNC site.

On Wednesday, the Democratic National Committee said officials would visit all six remaining potential hosts: New York City; Philadelphia; Cleveland; Columbus, Ohio; Phoenix, and Birmingham, Alabama. [Emphasis added]

Representatives of all six cities met with the DNC’s technical advisers this week and each cleared that hurdle. Now, DNC representatives will visit each city between now and early September to get an in-person sense of how the city might handle the crush of party dignitaries and activists.

DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz is expected to announce a host city either late this year or early in 2015.

I doubt we’ll see both major parties end up in different parts of Ohio but I suppose it could happen. Of the Democratic list, I see Phoenix and Philadelphia as good contenders but Ohio is a must-win for Democrats also so we’ll need to see this list get shortened a bit before predictions can be made.

Nate Ashworth is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of Election Central. He's been blogging elections and politics for almost a decade. He started covering the 2008 Presidential Election which turned into a full-time political blog in 2012 and 2016.

Nate: One would think so. It would be like the GOP having its convention in Massachusetts.

But I don’t think it’s a joke. I think cities APPLY for consideration. So Alabama is only being “considered” because it would be an insult not to consider them.

On the other hand, I am a contrarian. The unexpected is what gets attention–“man bites dog.” If the DNC is smart, they’ll keep Alabama in the running to the end. If nothing else, it would give Dems a chance to be a burr under the GOP’s saddle.

The South is not as “Solid” as it used to be. Imagine if Dems were to find issues that might appeal to southerners. What if Jim Webb were on the ticket?